Hello Stella, it is strange, but when I find out about them all, I really feel connected. It plays o.. read moreHello Stella, it is strange, but when I find out about them all, I really feel connected. It plays on my emotions. They had such terribly hard lives back then. Warfare, loss of children through diseases which have now been eliminated, lack of work, lack of healthcare, lack of housing. We all have our limits and I wonder sometimes how they ever managed, Maybe it was because everyone was in the same boat?
6 Years Ago
well yes until i traced this grandmother of mine i ddin't know her fist child was out of wedlock the.. read morewell yes until i traced this grandmother of mine i ddin't know her fist child was out of wedlock then she married and had several more, then she left him took all the children to live my my grandfather , had six to him of which he did not father one of them but a Spanish lodger did and my grandfather took him on as his own, then grandfather died on the outside toilet laeving her with all these children to bring up and then she died of tb. Dreadful times, but all this it seems was not unusual... they slept with lodgers to get money to feed the existing children
It seems really interesting..The entire concept is quite different from what I get to read here..And I must say you expressed it beautifully..Actually , the title made me read this poem..It sounded really interesting..Well , I actually never even thought about writing my ancestors..
Well done and keep on writing...
I love going through family ancestry! All my aunts and uncles passed years ago, so its like opening boxes on Christmas morning - you simply discover something new every time you look.
I've always been one who believes that the souls of our departed are always with us. That is the message you've given us, here...and I thank you for that!
The rhyme scheme and how you stick to it is top notch.
It was a fun read but with a touch of melancholy in regards to his flaws.
Makes me kinda want to write a poem about my own ancestors. But most of them were either drunken canadian fishermen or pretentious french academics... eh, never mind, I don't want to write about that. I'll just read yours one more time.
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thank you. I am sure that if we all delved back there would be many of us who would come across ance.. read moreThank you. I am sure that if we all delved back there would be many of us who would come across ancestors with deep flaws. Maybe in years to come we will be looked at in the same way. Anyway, pleased you enjoyed this enough to read it twice.
It is difficult to see past the personal failures of the loved ones in our lives, especially if those failures had wide reaching consequences on those others we love. It takes a brave and forgiving heart to accept those failures, consequences and flaws and still have love in the heart for the person who inflicted the pain. I know i have experienced such an instance, and i never did give my forgiveness. Some things just cannot be undone.
You have my respect for your words here and the forgiving heart you have within. A poignant, emotional write. Well Done.
Heartfelt and sincere, and so true who are we to judge, we never walked in their footsteps or lived there life. Compassionate and caring.
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thank you Dee. When I think of how they lived in comparison to how we do, I count my lucky stars. Th.. read moreThank you Dee. When I think of how they lived in comparison to how we do, I count my lucky stars. They had a hard time.
Chris
6 Years Ago
Exactly, Chris. Times back then were really brutal at times.
The old generation had it very hard. They suffered untold things. They went through hell and high water. I like how you put his life in a short perspective without being too judgemental. A peek through your lenses.
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
How can you pass judgement when you haven't walked in their shoes? Life was terribly hard in those d.. read moreHow can you pass judgement when you haven't walked in their shoes? Life was terribly hard in those days. He had a large family, a wife, children who died, one who fought in WW1, housing problems, it goes on and on. I would imagine there were many, many like him. Thank you Sami for responding. Very much appreciated.
Fascinating read. It's sometimes difficult to fully realise our ancestors' lives were as real as ours are now. Like watching old B&W newsreels. But when we do focus on those lives phps they become more than names and dates in old records.
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thank you for your response. I don't know why it happens, but when you start to research old records.. read moreThank you for your response. I don't know why it happens, but when you start to research old records, these ancestors start to take shape. You build up an image of them, understand more about their daily lives. If you are lucky you may have photos, but they become real to you and
they can penetrate your emotions.
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..